City seeks full EPA review for railroad plan

-Feds must study impact before approving use.

-Feds must study impact before approving use.

July 18, 2006|MARGARET FOSMOE Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- The city of South Bend has requested a full environmental review of a plan to revive a dormant railroad line that runs through the city. The request was filed with the Surface Transportation Board, the federal body that will decide whether to grant the Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend Railway Co. an acquisition and operation exemption to start rail service. "There is an important environmental impact with regard to the operation of the railway along these tracks and a (National Environmental Policy Act) review would be an important factor to consider in contemplation of the applied-for exemption," assistant city attorney Jeffrey Jankowski wrote in a filing with the board. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 requires that federal agencies study and consider environmental effects in their decision making. When necessary, appropriate steps must be taken to ease potential impact on the environment. South Bend Railway plans to buy the unused rail line from Norfolk Southern Railway Co. and start providing freight service. The company also is considering providing limited passenger service along the line using old South Shore Railroad passenger cars. The rail line stretches from the city's west side to the northern edge of the University of Notre Dame campus. It hasn't been used in at least a decade. If the board approves the exemption before an environmental study, the city would not be able to request such a study in the future, according to Jankowski. The railway operation would have a large impact on the environment within the city, he said.Staff writer Margaret Fosmoe: mfosmoe@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6329